To Answer Question #1: I’ve always been a car guy. From the time I was a little kid, I could name every car — make model and year — on the road. Out of the blue, a fellow named Mark Duffus walks into my office one day and asks if we publish car reviews in the Business Journal. I tell him no, but I’m certainly open to the idea. I just don’t have access to the cars. He grinned, and said, “That’s why I’m here.” Mark is with Specialty Transport; a company that manages the national press fleets for numerous manufacturers. Mark now runs Specialty’s southern California operation.

The cars don’t come from local dealers, but from that press fleet — a pool of cars each manufacturer maintains specifically to be driven by automotive journalists for evaluation purposes. There are about 100 or so automotive writers in the country published widely enough to be recognized by the manufacturers as credible. I happen to be one of them. I get a new car every week that’s been detailed and is full of gas. The manufacturers pay the insurance. I pay any tickets.

After the third review appeared, I got a call from the other major press fleet manager, Portland-based Page One Automotive, asking if I’d like to drive their cars too. Pretty cool, huh?

I also get invited on numerous press junkets, mostly for the purpose of new vehicle introductions – and my schedule allows me to usually accept one or two invitations a month. The manufacturers wine and dine the writers in style, usually, but not always, at five-star resorts, in hopes we’ll pen something positive after driving their vehicles.

I’ve traveled to places as diverse as Moab, Utah, Detroit of course, and Napa Valley as well as Mexico, London and Paris. I’ve also had the opportunity to drive new vehicles at Talladega Super Speedway, Laguna Seca, Willow Springs, Sears Point, Heartland-Topeka, Phoenix-Firebird and of course, Pacific Raceway — all courtesy of automakers. They’re also very generous with vehicles when I’m out of town on personal business — or pleasure.

I’ve twice been elected president of the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA), a non-profit organization of professional automotive writers, and am its current treasurer. We put on what has become recognized as the nation’s premier off-road SUV competition, Mudfest. I am also a member of the L.A.-based Motor Press Guild (MPG), The Phoenix Auto Writers Association, and the Southeast Automotive Media Organization (SEAMO).

To answer Question #2: Although I’m sure I’ll have plenty of brand-loyalty disagreements, based on what I’ve personally driven, here’s my choices going into the 2007 model year:

Best Family Sedans? The Honda Accord and Toyota Camry consistently battle for the top selling — and stolen — spot. There’s a reason for that. But don’t overlook the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan or Lincoln Zepher, depending on your preferred level of luxury. Also consider the Nissan Altima, Ford 500, its sibling Mercury Montego, and surprisingly, the Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata.

Best Luxury Sedans? Mercedes E550, Lexus LS460, Infiniti Q45, the new Volvo S80, Cadillac DTS, Nissan Maxima, and my old standby the Jaguar XJ. For way less money, but an acceptable level of luxury, check out the Kia Amanti and Hyundai Azera.

Best Performance Sports Sedans? There are so many good ones it’s hard to choose because the nuances are so subtle, and it’s often as much about personal style as performance. In the compact class it’s easily the Subaru WRX STI, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Acura TL and BMW 3-Series. Mid-size sedans include the Infiniti G35 and M35X, Lexus IS350, Cadillac CTS-V, Volvo S60R, Jaguar S-Type-R, and the Acura RL. Among the very best in the large luxury/performance category in my opinion, are the Mercedes S600, Audi A8, and based on my own personal sense of style, as well as all-around comfort and performance I’m particularly fond of the Infiniti M45 and Jaguar XJR.

Best High-Performance Coupe and/or Convertible? Again, too many that are just too good, with opinions being very subjective based on size as well as your own personal sense of style and measures of performance. In the smaller segment, I like the Nissan Z350. It’s an awesome performer that’s been continually refined since its debut. Also on my list are three Porsches’ — the 911 Carrera 4S, Boxster and Cayman, as well as the Audi TT 3.2 V6 Quattro. I am also quite enamored of the new Saturn Sky Red Line. In the full-size segment, the 505-horse Chevy Corvette ZO6 belongs here, as does the Cadlllac XLR, Saleen and Shelby GT500 Mustangs, Jaguar XKR, and the Mercedes SL55 AMG, along with my personal favorite car, bar none: the Aston Martin DB9.

Best SUVs? This is perhaps the most competitive market segment, with lots of choices in all price ranges and sizes. There is also a distinction between crossover SUVs — those built on automobile platforms with no low-range gearing — and true, truck-based body-on-frame SUVs.

In the compact class I personally like the Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Xterra. But don’t overlook the new Mitsubishi Outlander either, or the Ford Escape and sibling Mercury Mariner (both also come as hybrids).

Also making the cut are the Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota RAV 4, as well as siblings Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. All are sensible and functional. In the mid-size range, winners include Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Acura RDX, Volvo XC70, Land Rover Freelander 2, Hummer H3 and my personal favorite in this group, the new Toyota FJ Cruiser. At the luxury level, my choice remains the Volvo XC90, which won Mudfest hands down the three years running and is still being recognized by auto writers everywhere as one of the best all-around SUVs in terms of luxury, performance, everyday utility and drivability. Honorable mentions: the new Acura MDX, GMC Denali, Land Rover LR3, Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Sport, VW Touareg, and Nissan Armada.

Best Full-Size Pickups? For my money the Nissan Titan is still tops after dethroning longtime champ, the Ford F150 last year. But the 2007 GMC Sierra, Chevy Silverado and surprisingly the 2007 Chevy Avalanche, also have gained a serious edge on the F-150. I rank it about equal to the Toyota Tundra — not bad, but getting long in the tooth and not as good as the Titan. The Tundra however, is scheduled for a makeover this year, so we’ll see. I also like the Dodge Ram, but dislike the fact that as with most DiamlerChrysler products, things that are standard on most other brands — like ABS brakes for example — are options.

Best Mid-Size Pickups? For the second year in a row, hands down, the Nissan Frontier, followed by the Toyota Tacoma.

Best American Cars? It’s about a toss up between the Cadillac STS and Chrysler 300C. The Ford 500 and Mercury Montego deserve a mention here as well as the new Saturn Aura.

Best Hybrid? Toyota/Lexus wins hands down in all segments — again — from the Lexus RX400h SUV, to the luxurious LS600h sedan, right down to the Camry hybrid and the Prius. Honda has done a good job of combining gas-electric powertrains and actually offers more combined horsepower than Toyota, but I still favor Toyota. Nissan intends to compete in this segment — although it’s licensed Toyota’s technology rather than develop its own.

Most Underrated Car? The Mitsubishi Gallant, which is as good as the Accord or Camry, and cheaper to boot, but seemingly the Rodney Dangerfield of the segment.

Best Small Car? I really like the new Nissan Versa — it’s roomy, powerful for this segment and has lots of thoughtful features not found on some others at this price point. The Toyota Yaris is also a serious contender here. However, Hyundai and Kia still offer the best warranty — 100,000 miles — and the lowest price.

Vehicles I Just Like… Because...??? Nissan Murano — very stylish; Dodge Magnum — cool like the old Nomad; Chevy Impala SS — fast and comfortable; Mini — just plain fun; Cadillac Escalade EXT — luxurious and a real truck; Dodge Daytona SRT10 — fast — very, very fast; Honda Element — funky but fun with lots of utility; and Chevy HHR — cool and functional.

My Personal Vehicle? I’m a truck guy, and always have a use for one. But after selling my 24’ boat and buying another too big to trailer, I also recently sold my 10-mpg, Ford F250 4X4 tow vehicle. I haven’t decided whether to buy a new truck — either a 4X4 Nissan Titan or Frontier — or getting a beater truck and buying a high-performance car of some kind. Stay tuned. By the way, my wife drives a Volvo XC90 AWD T6.

Oh yeah, the answer to Question #3: No, I don’t need any help. Yeah, it’s tough duty, but someone has to do this.

See the Special Report Section or the Behind The Wheel Section for the Annual Rollout of Automotive products and services.